Barrow Raiders Ladies’ fixtures for the 2023 season have been confirmed.
The Raiders Ladies will compete in Group 2 of the competition alongside Bradford Bulls, Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers, Leigh Leopards and Salford Red Devils.
Leigh Leopards have taken the place of Leigh Miners Rangers, under a new partnership between the town’s professional and community clubs, while Salford have been rewarded for their remarkable progress over the last 12 months.
The team finishing top of Group Two will secure automatic promotion to the expanded eight-team BWSL in 2024, with play-offs to determine the second promoted team.
Amanda Wilkinson’s squad will begin their 2023 campaign away at Featherstone Rovers on Sunday 16 April.
The club’s first home game will be against Bradford Bulls on Sunday 28 May (2pm kick-off).
In the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup, the Raiders Ladies have been placed in Group 3 alongside York Valkyrie, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR. This August, the women’s final will be staged at Wembley for the first time.
Thomas Brindle, BWSL general manager, said: “There is more excitement and anticipation than ever around Women’s Rugby League in 2023, after the national impact made by England’s performances in the World Cup.
“For the BWSL to kick off with a repeat of last year’s Grand Final as part of a double header at Headingley is another first for the competition, and another big stage for a lot of those England players.
“We welcome three new names to the BWSL in 2023, following the rebrand of York Valkyrie, the new partnership between Leigh Leopards and Leigh Miners Rangers, and the rapid progress made by Salford Red Devils in their debut season in 2022.
“With Warrington building impressively for their elevation to Group One, it promises to be the most competitive season yet – and we hope to make some more exciting announcements soon about broadcast coverage.”
2023 Fixtures
April –
- Sunday 16: Featherstone Rovers (A) – 12pm
- Sunday 23: York Valkyrie (H) – 2pm (CHALLENGE CUP)
May –
- Sunday 7: Leigh Leopards (A) – 2pm (CHALLENGE CUP)
- Sunday 21: Hull KR (A) – 2pm (CHALLENGE CUP)
- Sunday 28: Bradford Bulls (H) – 2pm
June –
- Sunday 11: Castleford Tigers (H) – 12pm
July –
- Sunday 2: Leigh Leopards (H) – 12pm
- Sunday 9: Salford Red Devils (A) – 12pm
- Sunday 16: Featherstone Rovers (H) – 12pm
August –
- Sunday 6: Castleford Tigers (A) – 2pm
- Sunday 20: Bradford Bulls (A) – 5:15pm
September –
- Sunday 3: Salford Red Devils (H) – 2pm
- Sunday 10: Leigh Leopards (A) – 2pm
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